Crownline 260 CR 2012 vs Crownline 270 BR 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 260 CR 2012 or the Crownline 270 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Crownline 260 CR 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 260 CR 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 270 BR 2004 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and Crownline 270 BR 2004 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 260 CR 2012 or the Crownline 270 BR 2004?

The Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 260 CR 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and Crownline 270 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and the Crownline 270 BR 2004 are built by Crownline. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Crownline 260 CR 2012 vs Crownline 270 BR 2004

Crownline

Crownline 260 CR 2012

2012

View full specs →

Crownline

Crownline 270 BR 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 260 CR 2012 vs Crownline 270 BR 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 260 CR 2012 vs Crownline 270 BR 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 430 hp for the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and 425 hp for the Crownline 270 BR 2004. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crownline 270 BR 2004 carries 88 gallons versus 75 gallons in the Crownline 260 CR 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crownline 260 CR 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 270 BR 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 260 CR 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 CR 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 26,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 270 BR 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model260 CR

Model270 BR

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail74.25 in. (1.9 m) without arch

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.88

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches74.25

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise23℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail38 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail6,400 - 6,600 lbs. (2,903 - 2,994 kg)

Weight - Detail5300 - 5500 lb

Weight - kg2993.71

Weight - kg2494.76

Weight - lbs.66

Weight - lbs.55

Length - Feet26.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 8 in. (8.13 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters7.95

Length overall - Inches32

Length overall - Inches313

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]68 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercruiser

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal88

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max430 hp

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,344 lbs. (610 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplen

Crownline 260 CR 2012 vs Crownline 270 BR 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 260 CR 2012 or the Crownline 270 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Crownline 260 CR 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 260 CR 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 270 BR 2004 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and Crownline 270 BR 2004 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 260 CR 2012 or the Crownline 270 BR 2004?

The Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 260 CR 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and Crownline 270 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 CR 2012 and the Crownline 270 BR 2004 are built by Crownline. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Crownline 260 CR 2012 full specs ← Crownline 270 BR 2004 full specs